A systematic explanation of standards in environmental law, together with appropriate case studies covering all the main areas of the environment. It takes account of developments such as the 21st Report of the Royal Commission on Setting Environmental Standards. Specific environmental standards are analyzed across all the main areas of the environment - water, land and air. The future of environmental standard setting is explained in context of the development of European environmental law. This includes the question of how a regional approach to the environment that is consistent with the principle of subsidiarity, may be pursued. Also included are issues relating to the freedom of information and the interrelationship between human rights and the environment. Case examples include Genetically Modified Organisms and the BSE crisis.